Social Problems 2

Sevenstar March 24, 2016

Course Description: Societies, governments, and individuals enjoy a very complex relationship with each other, often with no shortage of problems. In Social Problems 2, students continue to examine timely social issues affecting individuals and societies around the globe. These include individualism; consumption and consumerism; homelessness; obesity and health; science and technology; problematic groups such as extremists, cults, and gangs; drug and alcohol abuse; and globalization. Focusing on one of these issues at a time, students learn about the overall structure of the problem, how each one impacts their lives and communities, and possible solutions for the problem at both individual and structural levels. Biblical teaching is also integrated to encourage students to think of and treat these issues from the perspective of a distinctly Christian worldview.

Creation: When God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden, they had but one rule: “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:17). So long as they did not break that rule, humans would be in utter harmony with God, self, one another, and the world around them.

Fall: As a result of the Fall, though, humans are alienated from God, prone to self-shame and blaming others, and banished from the world as God intended it to be. Nowhere is this more evident than with “social problems”—suicide, rampant consumerism, homelessness, obesity, extremists, gang violence, alcohol and drug abuse, etc. The list can go on and on, and in one way or another, it can all be attributed to human sin and rebellion against God (Romans 1:29; 3:23).

Redemption: With the gospel of the crucified and resurrected Christ, however, all of these problems find their ultimate resolution—even if we can’t see that full resolution until Christ returns (Revelation 21:1–8). Far from implying that Christians should sit back and relax while God does his work in the world, this suggests that Christians should actively participate in that work (cf. Philippians 2:12–13). In addition to proclaiming the gospel and making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 13:10), this entails doing good and working toward responsible, informed solutions to social problems (cf. Titus 3:8). For instance, Christians should love the homeless, as Christ did, with their hearts, words, and deeds (e.g., Mark 1:40–45; 5:1–20); care for the “least” of society in tangible and practical ways (Matthew 25:31–46); and teach and model self-control in the context of drug and alcohol use (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20). In light of individualism and consumerism, Christians should also ground their identity in the triune God (Genesis 1:26–28, 31; Ephesians 4:22–24) and wholeheartedly serve God while stewarding their resources in wise and responsible ways (Matthew 25:14–30). In this way, followers of Christ can be “salt” and “light” in a watching world (Matthew 5:13–16), showing something of the inbreaking kingdom in the here and now.

To see how these truths are specifically explored in this course, visit the course information page in the course and click on “Guiding Principles.”

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